Children and Youth in a Digital World

Our goal is to champion the access and privacy rights of Ontario’s children and youth by promoting their digital literacy and the expansion of their digital rights while holding institutions accountable for protecting the children and youth they serve.

Our work to further this goal includes:

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School’s out for the summer — or is it? Children and Youth in a Digital World Read moreExpand

In the hazy, lazy, remaining days of August, the last thing parents and kids want to think about is school! As a student, I remember being in denial about it right up until Labour Day weekend. Only then would my mind suddenly turn to seeing my classmates again, meeting my new teachers, deciding which activities to join or what to wear on my first day back at school. As a parent, I was similar, procrastinating for as long as I could before running those last-minute errands to get my kids’ school supplies. 

For most of us, the start of school follows the Labour Day weekend. But for many teachers and school administrators, the hard work begins much earlier. As they get ready for the new school year, they have courses to plan, classrooms to set up, and schedules to organize. 

In today’s age of digital education, educators have a whole new dimension of responsibilities they must contend with. For example, they must develop rules and policies around students’ use of cell phones and other mobile devices in the classroom. Which apps and games should they allow (or disallow) students to use and explore for school projects? 

Educators must decide whether to use digital education platforms for things such as attendance reporting, homework assignments, academic grading, and online exam proctoring. And if so, what terms and conditions will they negotiate with their service provider? School administrators may wish to consult some of our previous decisions (MC18-48, MC17-52, MC18-17 and PI- PI21-00001) on these and other related issues. Our recent guidance on contracting with third-party service providers could also be of help in navigating the complex procurement, implementation, and management of “ed tech” tools and services. 

Educators must also meet new provincial curriculum requirements for digital literacy, digital citizenship, and online safety. Our Privacy Pursuit! lesson plans can help teachers engage meaningfully on these issues with children and youth from grades 2-8. In addition, our new Youth Ambassador Toolkit can support peer-to-peer discussions among older students and help equip them with the knowledge and skills they need to understand the broader policy issues and become advocates for privacy rights within their communities.

In short, schools are in serious planning mode as they strive to protect their students’ personal information from online risks and harms to their privacy, while also empowering their students to learn to become savvy and responsible digital citizens. That might seem like a fine needle to thread: protecting students from the very technologies you want them to use. However, in discussion with others, we have given careful thought to balancing the need for protection alongside the empowerment of students, and have developed what we believe to be just the right needle threader. 

In June 2024, after an eight-month open consultation period, my office finalized the Digital Privacy Charter for Ontario Schools as part of our strategic priority work on Children and Youth in a Digital World. The digital charter contains twelve commitments for schools and school boards to adopt. For example:

  • limiting collection, use, and disclosure of students’ personal information to only what’s necessary for discharging responsibilities as educators 
  • requiring strong privacy protections when engaging third-party providers of digital education tools and services
  • explaining what type of personal information is collected and the purposes for which it is used or shared with others in a way that is easy for students, parents, and guardians to understand
  • providing guidance to students on how to protect their own personal information; and
  • supporting continual awareness of evolving risks and ongoing learning about privacy in the digital environment 

While signing on in support of the digital charter is voluntary, the twelve commitments reflect already-existing legal obligations or best practices for how schools and school boards can meet those legal obligations. These commitments also align directly with the government’s stated intention to strengthen safeguards for children’s personal information in schools 

With the tabling of Bill 194: Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act, schools should already be preparing to meet higher standards and obligations regarding the types of digital technologies they make available to children and youth under the age of eighteen, and how they collect, use, and disclose personal information using these technologies. Much of the detailed content of Bill 194 has yet to be developed through regulations. 

While we may not yet know the details of what those regulations will look like or when they will take effect, we certainly know which way the wind is blowing. The digital charter provides a blueprint for schools and school boards to begin aligning with this new direction.

As schools and school boards prepare for the new school year, they have a remarkable opportunity to show leadership by stepping up to the charter commitments. By adopting the digital charter, schools and school boards can proactively demonstrate just how serious they are about protecting privacy and empowering the next generation of digital citizens. Most importantly, they can secure the respect and confidence of their students, parents and communities, and nurture a positive and trusting learning environment. 

As Bill 194 makes its way through the legislature, and the government makes plans to strengthen privacy protection for children and youth, I urge all Ontario schools and school boards to heed one of the most important life lessons they teach their students — prepare well in advance and avoid waiting until the last minute. 

Sign on to the digital charter and show your commitment to doing the right thing now, to avoid the frantic scramble come exam time.

— Patricia

Child, Youth and Family Services Act Addendum to the Manual for the Review and Approval of Prescribed Persons and Prescribed Entities Children and Youth in a Digital World Best Practices, Professional Guidelines Read moreExpand
IPC comments on Bill 188, the Supporting Children's Futures Act Children and Youth in a Digital World Advice and Submissions Read moreExpand

The IPC made recommendations to the Standing Committee on Social Policy in relation to proposed amendments to the Child, Youth and Family Services Act. It is the IPC’s position that any changes related to the collection, use and disclosure of personal information must be transparent and matched by a proportionate level of robust privacy protection. 

Review of the Practices and Procedures of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services Inter-ministerial Data Integration Unit (2024) Children and Youth in a Digital World Read moreExpand
IPC Letter accompanying the Review of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services Inter-ministerial Data Integration Unit (2024) Children and Youth in a Digital World Read moreExpand
Digital Privacy Charter for Ontario Schools (poster size) Children and Youth in a Digital World Posters Read moreExpand

The IPC wants your feedback! We’ve launched a draft Digital Privacy Charter for Ontario Schools to help educators prepare young people to be safe and responsible digital citizens, and empower them to exercise their privacy and access rights.

Digital Privacy Charter for Ontario Schools (printable) Children and Youth in a Digital World Read moreExpand

The IPC wants your feedback! We’ve launched a draft Digital Privacy Charter for Ontario Schools to help educators prepare young people to be safe and responsible digital citizens, and empower them to exercise their privacy and access rights.

The public consultation period ends on Monday, April, 22, 2024.

Digital Privacy Charter for Ontario Schools Children and Youth in a Digital World Read moreExpand

Ontario schools have an essential role in preparing young people to be safe and responsible digital citizens and empowering them to exercise their privacy and access rights.

The emergence of the internet, smartphones, cloud-based platforms, social media, and artificial intelligence have created many new risks in the digital landscape.

Recognizing this, the IPC has developed a Digital Privacy Charter for Ontario Schools in consultation with educators, educational institutions, and youth and parent advocates.

School administrators and school board officials can demonstrate their commitment to making student privacy a top priority by signing on in support of the charter.

Take the pledge

The charter consists of twelve high-level commitments that codify current and emerging best practices, many of which are grounded in statutory requirements under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

They are intended to support students in the digital environment by:

  • promoting strong privacy protections in digital education tools and services used by schools
  • encouraging ongoing learning about privacy in the digital environment
  • empowering students to understand and exercise their privacy and access rights

By adopting the digital privacy charter, school boards across Ontario can demonstrate a strong public commitment to protect our students' digital privacy, support accountability and transparency, and strengthen trust in Ontario’s schools. 

Do you have questions about the charter? Email @email.

Additional resources:

FAQs

What is the Digital Privacy Charter for Ontario Schools?

The Digital Privacy Charter for Ontario Schools outlines 12 voluntary commitments Ontario schools can adopt to enhance support for young people in the digital environment by:

  • promoting strong privacy protections in digital education tools and services used by schools
  • encouraging ongoing learning about privacy in the digital environment
  • empowering students to understand and exercise their privacy and access rights
Don’t privacy laws already protect children and youth and hold educational institutions accountable?

Yes, privacy laws are in place in Ontario to protect children and youth and hold educational institutions accountable and the digital privacy charter is consistent with those laws and represents current and emerging best practices.

Who can adopt the digital charter and its commitments?

The charter and its commitments are intended primarily for Ontario schools and school boards, but can be adopted by any institution or organization that collects, uses, and discloses the personal information of children and youth.

How can I support the charter?

The collective voice of parents, teachers, and school board officials can powerfully shape policies and practices within Ontario’s schools. Expressing support for the digital privacy charter by communicating with local school board trustees, directors of education, supervisors, and principals ensures that the digital safety of our children and youth is at the forefront of educational strategies and policies.

Parents and guardians:

Your voice is vital! Start a conversation with your child’s teachers and school administrators about the importance of digital privacy to help create momentum for the charter. Engage in school meetings, discuss with other parents, and communicate your support for the charter.

Educators:

Advocate for the adoption of the charter at your school. Use it as a guideline for digital activities in the classroom. Connect with us for further insights on how to implement the charter and raise awareness about digital privacy among your students and colleagues.

School board officials:

Bring the charter for serious consideration at board meetings and policy review sessions. Analyzing and adopting the charter’s commitments could set a strong framework for digital privacy across your school board. Your endorsement and application of the charter can create a secure digital environment for students.

What is the role of the IPC?

The IPC oversees the province’s access and privacy laws, ensuring that public institutions, health care providers, and child service providers comply with the law regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information while maintaining its privacy and security. The IPC handles a variety of responsibilities including resolving access to information appeals and investigating privacy complaints.

Part of our mandate is to research and educate the public on privacy and access to information issues. Read about our strategic priorities and other activities in support of Children and Youth in a Digital World.

Where can I learn about youth digital privacy rights and how to and empower young people in the digital world?

Where can I learn about youth digital privacy rights and how to and empower young people in the digital world?

The IPC is building on important research and initiatives around the world.

Learn more:

 

Media Literacy Week: Protecting and empowering students in the digital age Children and Youth in a Digital World Read moreExpand

Guest blog by Commissioner Kosseim for MediaSmarts in recognition of Media Literacy Week

Young people today love going online. Whether it’s for educational purposes, social networking or gaming — there is always something new and exciting to see and do. With every click, they explore new horizons but also, inadvertently, navigate through a sea of potential digital threats.

The online world is fraught with fake content that looks real, creating confusion between what’s true and what’s false. Cybercriminals and cyberbullies use the internet in ways that can seriously harm others, and advertisers attempt by all means to attract attention and nudge buying behaviour.

Canada’s annual Media Literacy Week highlights how critical it is that we all know how to use and engage with digital media. Read more.

Submission for the July 2023 Proposed Regulatory Changes to Ontario Regulation 155/18 and 156/18. Children and Youth in a Digital World Advice and Submissions Read moreExpand

The IPC provided comments and recommendations to the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services with respect to the summary of proposed regulatory changes to Ontario Regulation 155/18 and 156/18 posted on the Ontario Regulatory Registry on July 13, 2023. Within the submission, the IPC urges the Ministry to ensure that any amendments to expand collection, use or disclosure of sensitive personal information for the safety and well-being of children and youth are matched by a proportionate level of robust privacy protection.

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